Golden Crown Pty Ltd, the corporate licensee of Leeton Hotel in the Riverina region of New South Wales (NSW), and its director, Trent Middleton, have been fined $14,000 each following an investigation by Liquor & Gaming NSW. The penalties were imposed due to serious breaches of the state’s gaming laws, sending a clear message to other venue operators regarding compliance with NSW’s regulations for gaming machines. The fines aim to address the risks of gambling harm by enforcing limits on gaming machine operations and reinforcing the importance of patron well-being.
Breaches of Gaming Trading Hours:
Hospitality and Racing Chief Executive Anthony Keon emphasized that the breaches by Leeton Hotel were significant violations of the state’s gaming laws. The penalties imposed serve as a stern warning to other venue operators who do not adhere to the requirements for gaming machine operations in NSW. These restrictions are in place to mitigate the potential harm caused by excessive gambling, by limiting the amount of time patrons can spend playing gaming machines.
Investigation Findings:
Liquor & Gaming NSW conducted a review of Leeton Hotel’s gaming activity and discovered multiple instances of the venue operating its gaming machines outside the authorized trading hours between April and October 2021. On approximately 40 separate dates, the machines were operated mainly in the early hours of Saturday or Sunday mornings and after 10pm on Sunday nights. The hotel derived a profit of around $9,305 from these illegal trading activities.
Penalties and Guilty Pleas:
Trent Middleton, the director of Golden Crown, acknowledged the breaches and pleaded guilty to offenses under the Gaming Machines Act. During the court proceedings, Middleton stated that he believed there was a 45-minute grace period for gaming following the cessation of trade. Both Middleton and Golden Crown were convicted and fined $14,000 each, with an additional $10,800 awarded in costs.
Harm Minimization Compliance and Sentencing:
In delivering the sentence, the local court magistrate highlighted the failure to ensure compliance with harm minimization measures as the primary concern. The breaches committed by Leeton Hotel were not trivial or isolated in terms of volume, warranting the significant penalties imposed. The magistrate’s decision emphasizes the importance of enforcing strict compliance with gaming regulations to protect individuals from potential gambling-related harm.
The fines imposed on Golden Crown Pty Ltd and its director Trent Middleton following the breaches of gaming laws at Leeton Hotel serve as a reminder of NSW’s commitment to reducing gambling harm and upholding regulatory standards. The penalties demonstrate that venues operating gaming machines outside authorized trading hours can expect severe consequences for non-compliance. By reinforcing the importance of harm minimization and responsible gambling practices, Liquor & Gaming NSW aims to protect the well-being of patrons and maintain the integrity of the gaming industry in the state.